Elizabeth G. “Penny” Haylett-Minnick, 75, a well-known and much loved resident of 1218 Elk Street, Franklin, died peacefully at 9:20 AM Thursday, June 28, 2018 in her home. Penny passed unexpectedly while resting.

She was born October 4, 1942 in Franklin, a beloved daughter of the late: Harry Dean Haylett and Elizabeth Rose “Betty” Betzold Hartman Haylett Price.

She attended the former Fourteenth Street School in Franklin, Franklin Jr. & Sr. High School until 1958, and graduated with the Class of 1960 at The Greenbrier Womens School in Lewisburg, WV. She began her studies in the field of education at Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, WV, where she graduated with a BA degree. Through the years, while continuing her studies, she earned additional post graduate certifications in education at several Florida universities. Penny was employed by The Palm Beach County school system with various responsibilities in many fields of education. Other interests during those years were centered around water sports as well as many diverse business opportunities.

After retiring from the school system, she moved home to Franklin, where she cherished her many hometown friends and special classmates from the FHS Class of 1960. Her interest in our area’s history, lead to many new friendships which she valued immensely, most especially the Tuesday Afternoon Research and Taphophile groups. Of special interest was her research and restoration of Franklin’s historic Pioneer Cemetery. She was a longtime faithful member of The First Presbyterian Church in Franklin.

Penny’s volunteer work within our community included: serving as a member of The Board of Directors of The Venango County Historical Society, The Franklin Fine Arts Council and The Historic Franklin Preservation Association. She was a longtime member of The Venango Chapter of The Daughters of The American Revolution (entering under Jacob Whitman). She was a benefactor of The Venango County Humane Society, The Barrow-Civic Theatre, DeBence Antique Music World & Museum, The Franklin Public Library, The Franklin Gardeners Association, The Community Concert Program & Series, The Oil City Arts Council and The Allegheny Valley Trails Association. In 2007, she and Joyce Neidich were honored as Franklin’s Women of the Year, for their countless volunteer hours and for their part in the creation and development of the annual Walking Tour of Downtown Franklin.

She was co-founder of DukeFest, Friends of The Franklin Public Library and Relay for Life’s “Team Hope”. In her “spare time”, she loved group kayaking our area’s vast waterways. Her tireless, unselfish presence within our local community will be forever missed by so many.

She was married during Light-Up Night, November 16, 2001 at her Franklin home to Clifford Harry “Cliff” Minnick, Sr., who survives. Prior to her marriage to Cliff, she was first married to Thomas Robert Giese and then, Robert H. Kulbacki.

In addition to her husband, Cliff, she is survived by her brother, Rev. Thomas Dean Haylett and his wife Sue Giebner Haylett of West Palm Beach, FL and their children: Brad, Bart and Carrie; her sister-in-law, Debbie Haylett of Palm Coast, FL and her children: Dustin and Marcy. She is also survived by her step-children: Karrie Kulbacki Bixler and her husband Rob of Wisconsin and their children: Brad, Bryce and Katie; Lori Minnick Frederick and her husband Jon and their children: Lauchlan Pierce, Morgan and Sophia, all of Fredericksburg, VA; Karen Minnick of Holly Hill, FL and Jim Wolfgong of Franklin and their children: Deanna, Amber and Christina and great-granddaughter, Madyson, all of Franklin; Clifford H. “Chip” Minnick, Jr. and his wife Arlene and their son, Clyde of Oakland, CA and Andrew “Andy” Minnick of Fredericksburg, VA and his children: Dante, Christopher and Joshua Simon of Portsmouth, NH.

Also surviving is her loving “adopted daughter”, Mieke Heffern and her husband, Brian of Franklin; in addition to many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard William Haylett in 1990 and by her “guardian angel”, her grandmother, Elizabeth Betzold Hartman, whom she lovingly referred to as “Nunny”.

In keeping with her wishes, funeral services and entombment within the mausoleum at Sunset Hill Memorial Gardens in Cranberry, shall be private.

A very special celebration of Penny’s life will be held Saturday at 11:30 AM in Franklin’s Downtown West Park (Fountain Park). The general public, along with family and friends are encouraged to attend along with their “fur babies” that Penny had come to know and love through the years. Please remember your lawn chair and picnic lunch, as a day of fun with music is planned.

Memorial contributions, if desired may be directed in her name to either: The Venango County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1045, Oil City, PA 16301 or to the charity of one’s choice.